Customer Reviews

Screenwriting for Teens: The 100 Principles of Screenwriting Every Budding Writer Must Know

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was a few years out of High School when I finally combined my love for films with my love for writing. I had already slogged through writing a couple mediocre novels when I finally thought: "Hey! Why don't I write a screenplay!" And the rest, as they say, is history. Well history in the sense that I haven't actually SOLD anything yet or had any of my screenplays made into hit movies or well...okay - back to the review:

"Screenwriting For Teens" takes a very simple and honest approach to screenwriting. Each principle (and there are 100 of them) is explained on one page and then the following page is broken down into two sections. Section 1: "Look & Learn" gives you examples to seek out to prove the principle being discussed. Section 2: "Brainstormers" provides you with three tasks to explore the principle more by giving you assignments to follow.

Some of the principles she talks about: "Aiming for High Concept," "Hooks, Foreshadowing and Uh-Ohs," "Motivation and Redemption," and "Genre Dictates Structure."

The book is well thought-out and written in a way that gets right to the heart of being a teenager. Examples like: "You are in the cafeteria when..." or "You find out a friend said..." This is not a book that, by title only, says it is for teens and then dispenses lots of advice using really big words. The principles are broken down cleanly and simply. For us who have been writing screenplays for years (and years), we may want a bit more "meat" behind the principle regarding subtext. We may want Ms. Hamlett to explain more about the nuances in regards to films in the Romance genre - but the reality is that this book is written for teens: simple and easy to follow. That doesn't mean she does not take on complicated principle or use the occasional big word, she does. But she never disregards or looks down at the core audience.

As excellent as this book is, I do have issues with a couple items. The first is in regards to the "Brainstormers." As good as these are, there are a number of "Brainstormers" that involve the writer writing 100 word essays. Unless this book is being used as a school text book, I cannot imagine teenagers, on their own time, sitting down and writing a 100 word essay on how a trick they pulled fooled the audience or any of the other dozen "brainstormers" where Ms. Hamlett encourages 100 word essays.

The other issue I have is the lack of a compendium of web addresses used within the framework of the book. At the end of the book Ms. Hamlett provides pages (and pages) of recommended films and other reading materials. But what about a list of the dozens of websites that she refers to in the book? This way the reader doesn't have to go back through the pages but can go straight to one area and see the web addresses.

One other note. A number of the films that Ms. Hamlett refers to, or suggests watching, are "R" rated. You may want to ask your parents' permission before you watch "Die Hard" or any of the other "R" rated films mentioned in the book.

Bottom line: Ms. Hamlett does a great job simplifying the principles and reality of screenwriting to fit around a teenager's mind. Where was this book when I was growing up? It would have saved me years of writing in the dark.

Screenwriting For Teens is an extremely useful book written by Christina Hamlett. It breaks down the art of writing a script into easily digestible, little bit-sized morsels. It's incredibly jammed packed full of information yet its conversational tone helps to not overwhelm the reader. The book is broken down into 100 lessons, each starting with a concept. The author gets the concepts across by speaking in layman's terms, not making you feel like you are assembling Ikea furniture. She consistently sites examples that are up-to-date, making them easily recognizable.

In one concept, the difference between "reel" time and "real" time is being explained. She uses the example of the way reel time is used to condense days and years of characters' lives to keep the audience interested and, in contrast, how "real" time can increase agitation in the audience in such movies as Titanic, where we are living out the sinking of the ship, minute by minute, with the crew.

The second part of Christina Hamlett's lesson is "Look & Learn". In this part of the lesson you are asked to do mental exercises. To substantiate her idea of one of the key concepts "Knowledge = Credibility", she sites the opinion that lawyers don't like to watch TV courtroom dramas because the simple fact that they know courtrooms don't play out the way they are depicted on TV. Then she goes forward to test the readers' knowledge of the courtroom by giving a crime scenario and asking the reader to identify as many goofs as possible. The answers, thankfully, are at the bottom of the page so as not to drive the readers nuts, keeping us wondering.

The last sections of her lessons are called "Brainstormers". These are actual exercises that are expected to be completed. They are far from the boring ho-hum assignments that you would expect in a textbook. In one exercise where we are learning about Shorts, she gives the writer a scenario where they are to write a 60 second commercial advertising window cleaner, with no dialogue, the only actors being Paris Hilton and Darth Vader. How fun!

Although the title of the book gives a strong sense that it is a teen-only book, I am confident in saying that this book can be read by any beginning or novice screenwriter, whether they be 14, 26 or 75 years old. This book would also do wonders if it were to supplement any scriptwriting teacher's course of study. It is incredibly thought provoking and full of eye-opening knowledge.

I can't say enough good about this book. It's fun to read, it's full of right-on-the-money advice, and it gives teens truly "adult" information with a tone and at a level that is ideal for young people. I've been a high-school teacher for a good many years, and I would recommend this book without hesitation to any of my young charges who are interested in script or story writing. Young writers are full of ideas, and guiding them as they learn to express themselves takes a very special skill set--and Christina Hamlett has that rare and magical combination of competence, humor, and creativity that can touch the heart of any young writer. A "must read" for teens of all ages!

Screenwriting for Teens meets all of my standards for the highest possible recommendation. This is truly a workshop in a book.

Christina is to the point. The work is masterfully crafted to obtain the objective. No fluff or excessive verbiage to contend with. Each concept is whittled down to the essence with appropriate explanations where they are needed.

As a writer, I found the format and process of creating a screen play very useful in honing my craft. I feel like there is a greater sense of process to my song writing and story telling since reading this book.

This book is loaded with exercises to help you sharpen your skills. If you're an aspiring screen writer, weather you're 14 or 40, Screenwriting for Teens is sure to set you on the right path!

Enjoy!

The idea of any kind of guidebook normally gives me the "ho-hums", but I must admit that this was a pleasant (and educational!)surprise. Christina Hamlett's Screenwriting for Teens is fun to read; it's pleasing and practical and comes across as more of an on-line chat with one's mentor than anything resembling a "how-to" text. And yet, this book is totally to be taken seriously!

Christina Hamlett knows writing, and she knows movies. She also knows how to speak to a young audience (though I feel this book would be invaluable to beginning writers of all ages). And, most importantly, she knows what it takes to make a good start as a writer. Her wise advice? It's all about you and your writing (and reading), NOT about how to make money, achieve fame, and create blockbusters.

Screenwriting for Teens is a nice visual package, as well, both structurally and graphically. I myself wish Ms. Hamlett had been my tutor in high school - she could've taught me how to do a proper outline! This book can be read effectively in its entirety, or section by section; the blocky layout is great for kids, who we all know can be (ahem) a bit impatient. Another plus for kids is the fact that Hamlett's voice is conversational yet professional, and not "teacher-ly". She's not trying to get young people to slog through yet another textbook, after all. This is about real world goals and practice.

Hamlett also offers great advice for beginning writers of all stripes, not just budding screenwriters. For example, she explains the differences between story and plot, how to write for various genres such as comdey, sci-fi, etc. And yet her advice for screenwriters is priceless - my own favorite Hamlett topic is "Characters Shouldn't Use Dialgoue to Explain Things to Each Other That They Already Know" (she proceeds to cite some dialogue from a Harry Potter film, but she's right so we must forgive her).

So, if you are a teen writer or an adult just fumbling around getting started, pick up this book, sit down, and learn, learn, learn! Screenwriting for Teens is enlightening, sensible, and FUN!

Screenwriting for Teens, The 100 Principles of Screenwriting Every Budding Writer Must Know, is an in- depth, yet easy to read book for writers of all ages. Christina Hamlett motivates any promising screenwriter, with her humorous writing style and detailed, informative understanding of the craft.

To call the book a complete "how to" manual would be a vast understatement. At the end of each chapter, a section called Brainstorming, provides writing exercises to reinforce the core concepts introduced in the chapter. Also included, is a Look and Learn section that references films, television shows, books and websites that highlight the focal points contained in the chapter.

Offering more than just helpful hints for those with the dreaded "writer's block", Screenwriting for Teens is a comprehensive guidebook that covers all genres. Whether writing a Drama, Comedy, Action Adventure or Sci-Fi Film, this is the book to begin or develop your skills.

It will be first on my recommended reading list for the Screenwriting Program that I will be offering at my local community college. Thanks a million, Ms. Hamlett, for your brilliance and encouragement, supporting all those with the courage and vision to put their pen to paper, move forward and to not give up!

Screenwriting for Teens is the quintessential guide for taking an idea and turning it into a film. The book stresses that it's necessary to understand the story process before you can understand the specific formatting of a screenplay. Christina Hamlett's no-nonsense delivery is refreshing as she instructs writers, newbies and veterans alike, on some of the basic concepts of writing a screenplay - though these concepts really apply to any kind of writing. Principles such as knowing your medium (and which one works best for your story), understanding high concept, knowing your characters and their voices, and understanding the art of dialogue are but a few of the many this book covers in detail.

Screenwriting for Teens also covers how these principles apply to us on a personal level and not just that they're the 'right' thing to do if we want to sell our script. A lot of experts talk about how making a script presentable by spellchecking and using the right font size is important, but not everyone explains the 'why' of it. Christina likens it to someone you've been interested in for a long time. They finally ask you out on a date and you spend the entire day fretting about your clothes and hairstyle. When the person arrives, not only are they late but they look like hell warmed over. The whole experience is rather deflating and frankly, disappointing. That's how directors, producers, and agents feel when they get a script from a writer that didn't take the time to polish it.

The book doesn't quibble with the fact that Hollywood is a tough business. Many writers spend their whole lives looking for that one big break while some get lucky their first time out. What's important to remember is that writing isn't meant to be a 'get rich and famous quick' kind of gig. It's about being the best writer you can be because that's what you want to do. If you want to succeed at writing, then this book is just the catalyst you need to get moving. After all, writers write. That particular maxim will be the most repeated advice anyone will give. Take it to heart, because practice (and Christina's book!) makes perfect.

Many teenagers have ambitions to write screenplays, but unfortunately, there aren't many resources where young writers to learn the basics. That's where Screenwriting For Teens by Christina Hamlett comes in! Targeted to the beginners, the book focuses on the founding stages of screenwriting. With countless lessons, exercises, and tips, Hamlett knows how to communicate to young people, and helps them get those creative juices flowing! The best part of the book is that it demystifies the process of screenwriting, and breaks it down into manageable parts. Whether the reader aspires to be a successful writer or is just testing the waters, Screenwriting For Teens is helpful to anyone (of any age!) who is at all interested in the field of screenwriting.

While the title may be "Screenwriting for Teens," this book should be on the shelf of every aspiring or working screenwriter, young or old. For newcomers, it offers insightful and easy to understand descriptions of plot, characters, dialogue and story structure. For more experienced writers who may be stuck, it also offers fun and easy prompts and ideas to help get you inspired. Author Christina Hamlett provides a solid foundation and understanding of the screenwriting medium but writes in a fun and engaging way. Reaching out to the teenage population, she still manages not to alienate any adult readers. As an aspiring screenwriter, this will be a great tool to refresh and even give me new ideas when I'm stuck. The author's movie knowledge will also help educate teens about some of the greatest films that they may not have exposure to. I know that this book will be a big hit in the teenage acting class I assist with. Don't let the title fool you- this is truly a book for anyone who hopes to one day write their own movie.

This book is simply wonderful! The format, the wisdom, the suggested exercises all add up to substantial teaching and learning experience. One thought: though it is very accessible, and teens can use and learn form it, this book covers the basics so well that all can benefit from it.